Destination wine: Why Davidson locals flock to this wine bar.
If you plan to experience an afternoon or evening drinking wine at Davidson Wine Co. in the Lake Norman town of Davidson, expect an adventure. The destination is finding a wine you love.
Davidson resident and owner Lindsey Williams wouldn’t have it any other way. Her adventurous approach to wine is why you’ll find a wide variety of wine from super sweet to super dry, Williams told CharlotteFive.
“We’re always challenging people to try something new and something outside the box,” she said. “If you always drink Chardonnay, we will definitely try to get you to taste something different.”
As you try different wines in the search for one that fits your taste buds, you’ll be in an ambiance that’s fit for the occasion.
“We really strive to have a great vibe at Davidson Wine Co.,” she said. “That’s one thing that people always remark on is that it’s a place that you want to sit and hang out for hours with your friends.”
Wine, yes, and also beer, cider and cocktails
Beyond the great vibes, Williams ensures she’s pushing the boundaries with offerings. Non-wine drinkers will find beer, ciders and cocktails on the menu.
Listening to customers is an important part of the process and lets Williams know what to keep on the menu. Standard wines such as Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Cabernet are staples.
THE WINE MENU: The wine menu is “approachable, affordable and diverse,” Williams said. Crowd favorites are Bonita Applebum, Carnival and Shortcake.
Bonita Applebum — Green apple riesling, an intensely flavorful wine, with the taste of a freshly cut green apple.
Carnival — Spanish Tempranillo that has strawberry, plum and vanilla flavors.
Shortcake — Freshly picked ripe red strawberry aromas and flavors.
THE BISTRO MENU: The adventurous bistro menu changes with each season, offering a variety of different items that utilizes local ingredients as much as possible. Menu options include greens, small plates, desserts and more. Check out a few favorites:
Beet & Feta Salad — Vibrant red beets, feta crumbles and roasted pecans over a bed of arugula with a fresh herb dressing on the side.
Prosciutto & Truffle flatbread — Crispy prosciutto, pickled peppers, roasted mushrooms and shaved black truffles.
Blueberry Cobbler Cheesecake — Cheesecake with cobbler bites and blueberry puree swirl that’s topped with whipped cream and white chocolate shavings.
A hyperlocal place, created for community
“The thing that I’m most proud of about Davidson Wine Co. is that it really has become a place for community,” Williams told CharlotteFive.
“We do a lot of events with Davidson College and with all of the area businesses. We really aim to keep things local.”
The journey into winemaking
Williams opened Davidson Wine Co. in 2019. While the company’s first tasting room opened just 3 years ago, Williams’ affinity for wine started well before then. It’s ultimately what led to the opening of Davidson Wine Co.
“My love for drinking wine really turned into wanting to know what was behind the wine that was in my glass,” she said.
The Ohio native moved to Davidson 10 years ago. While previously working as a corporate lawyer in Uptown, Williams’ business travel took her to the West Coast. It was those experiences where she visited different vineyards and tasting rooms that piqued her interest. A trip to Tuscany for a wedding became the validation needed.
She moved forward with starting Davidson Wine Co., but not without a year of studying the market, an internship in California and extensive research on the industry.
Focus on affordability, approachability and diversity
Realizing the lack of wine bars in the area is one of the reasons why Davidson became the ideal location. To start, affordability, approachability and diversity was also important.
“I really believe that wine should be approachable,” she said. “People often mistakenly believe that the more expensive a bottle of wine is, the better it is, and that’s just not the case. We really want to make our wine both affordable and approachable.”
Davidson’s Wine Co. is more than a wine bar. Williams is actively involved in the winemaking process, which occurs in the company’s very own winemaking facility three miles from the tasting room.
The wine company is expanding, too. Earlier this year, Williams opened Charleston Wine Co. in Charleston, South Carolina. The plan is to continue growth with another location in a new city. “I really believe that this is a concept that can be in a lot of different places,” she said.
Davidson Wine Co.
Location: 121 Depot St, Davidson, NC 28036
Instagram: @davidsonwineco
